Let me get this out of the way up front: I became a Dean Karnazes groupie this past weekend.  OK, I’ve said it.  I feel better.

You see, I live in Boulder, where ultrarunners are a dime a dozen, including a strong flock of true old school “deans,” themselves.  They include 100, 200 mile record-holders … all of whom have never sought the spotlight of sport and achievement.  Thus, when Dean Karnazes began his amazing “business” of ultra marketing, there seemed to be a rather pompous, somewhat arrogant, resentment of this guy who was seemingly doing nothing special in their world of ultras.

However, this past weekend - January 17 - I participated in the inaugural “Dean Karnazes Rock & Roll Ultra Marathon,” a race of 50K in Phoenix.  While 35,000 people did the half and full marathons, 150 of us did the 31 mile version.  I had done ultras - including the Leadville 100 Mile Trail Run - before turning back to triathlon in 2005; and,  now was simply seeking a new challenge as I entered 2010.  What I discovered, though, is what I predict to be a surge of interest in the world of ultrarunning … thanks to one individual, Dean Karnazes.

Of the 150 ultra folks, at least 80-100 were doing their first run beyond a marathon; and, judging by their clamoring for pictures and autographs with Karnazes at the start, most were inspired by simply being in the presence of the “Dean of Ultras.” 

Sure, Karnazes - the self-proclaimed, advertised, and uber-marketed “Ultramarathon Man” - is making a strong living from his amazing feats (50 marathons in 50 days in 50 states, e.g.), his book, DVD, and sponsors (see www.ultramarathonman.com); but, what makes the guy so admirable is his ability to inspire others to do things they would not otherwise venture to pursue.  He is personable, approachable, and super positive and encouraging to anyone who speaks with him.

I ran next to him for several miles during the run on Sunday, and throughout the miles, people continuously came up along his side, peppering him with praise and questions;

Wearing my traditional running outfit vs. Team Timex apparel at the Boulder Beer Mile (Hawaian shirt)

 and Dean - in every instance - was cordial, helpful, and encouraging.  He obviously loves what he does, and that love is being spread with every step he does.  Today - Tuesday, 2 days after the ultra - Dean is running another marathon … on a treadmill in a San Francisco radio station (KFOG) studio, as a fundraiser for Haiti. 

OK, lest I come across like a soon-to-be-stalker, I will end what may sound like an “Ode to Dean.”  But, mark my words - just like “50 is the new 40,” we will now be seeing shirts and races proclaiming “50 is the new 26.2″ - hey, maybe I should market that before Dean does!

Oh, footnote to all of this, and my last month of running: our Annual Boulder Beer Mile was held on New Year’s Eve Day; and, once again, Team Timex was represented by yours truly, but not as strongly as last year.  Cold temps, cold beer, and less pre-race practice & training led to a mile of just 9:40 something, compared to my 8:20 something the year prior (1 mile, 4 beers).  Of course, doing this race just 18 days before my ultra was great preparation! 

And, as for the 50K, I ran 4:15 for the 31 miles.  My goal was 4:06, and I was well on my way until mile 27-28; which, apparently, is the wall associated with a 50K.  Regardless, it was a good day, great event; and, particularly cool to see the impact this one person can - and will - have on so many people and, potentially, a new sport. 

Now, back to the pool, bike, and triathlon!

Snow shoe race… really? A quick perusal of the blog shows a few random posts and then… a snow shoe race. So how about a post about triathlon, eh? Well, it is the off-season, so we’ll have to settle for training. But actual triathlon training, the swimming-biking-running variety, rather than snow shoe running, cross country skiing, or indoor workout madness.

Admittedly, the weather near me has been pretty awful for this sort of thing but that’s why I jumped at the opportunity to get out of town. Not only out of town but off the continent! Last Sunday I boarded a plane to Atlanta where I then caught a flight to Honolulu before my third jump to Kahului on the island of Maui. The final destination was a condo near the historic town of Paia where the temperature during the day has hovered somewhere around 80F and clouds are a rarity. Not only is the weather here optimized for training but so is the company which includes the likes of Simon Whitfield, Sam McGlone, and other members of the Canadian National Team.

The first couple of days weren’t too bad… plenty of workouts but nothing too out of control.  On Wednesday however, we did our first hard ride of the camp… 2.5h with about 1h10min total of Zn3/Zn4/Zn5 climbing. We started at sea level and ended up somewhere around 3500ft although we still didn’t quite make it to the top. The descent was tons of fun… lots of exciting turns and breathtaking views.

Yesterday (Thursday) morning we headed over to the north sore for a little open water swim workout. Unfortunately we picked the windiest day since I’ve been here so we got beat up quite a bit in the choppy surf. Although the workout was a bit rough, the water was amazing as it was the perfect temperature and crystal clear. The highlight though was the body surfing after the workout!

I’m too tired to post about the adventures today but we still have a couple of hard rides and runs on tap (and of course every pool session is fast with the ITU crew) so I’m just hoping I can it through to next Monday. While this camp is certainly giving my fitness a great kick start to my year, the best part about it is just the opportunity to train with so many elite athletes and understand what it takes. Additionally, I’ll probably remember the easy runs over the dirt roads in the cane fields with Simon and Kyle as much as the super hard, heart attack inducing mountain climbs and all-out 100s in the pool.

Until next time, stay warm!

I am so excited to write about my first ever snow shoe race!  For the past couple of years, I have wanted to try this but didn’t have snow shoes to just drop in whenever.  So for Christmas, the big box under the tree… was a pair of running snow shoes! 

I registered for the Beaver Creek Snow Shoe Series which is the largest snow shoe series in the world!  It is about a 2 hour drive from Denver.  Well, registering was the easy part.  I needed to get my running shoes mounted and the person I found to do this was at Pedal Power in Vail.  So I trekked up there 5 days before the race to get my shoes mounted.  I had planned on trying them out afterward, but I wasn’t able too because of the mounting process.  I thought oh well, I guess I’ll be trying them out on race day!

Race day came and as I was packing up to head out, I mentioned to my Sister and Bro-in-law, “Don’t try anything new on race day!” as I chuckled.  I had yet to be on these snow shoes let alone attempt running in them.  After heading over to Beaver Creek, I got my number and got over to the start.  I started about 1/3 of the way back as to not get in the way of anyone “more experienced”!  The gun blew and we were off.  It took me about 2 miles to get comfortable in my shoes… to the point where at some times, I looked down just to make sure they were still on my feet!  These Northern Lites Elite Racers are amazing! The thought kept crossing my mind.. this is like the mountain biking of running!  I loved it!!!  My lungs felt like they were going to explode then my legs would feel like they were going to collapse; just a darn good workout!! 

I was about 4 miles into the race when a 13 yr veteran of the series, Tom Moorhead, turned around and yelled at me.. “Is anyone behind you?” I said that I thought so… and he said “Nope, I think we took a wrong turn… we are heading back in”.  I thought, there is no way!  I saw the blue flags and arrows.  He stopped, came back past me, and was confident we had headed the wrong direction.  Well, honestly, at this point, having never been to this resort, I had NO IDEA where I was or even where I needed to go.  I figured I better follow! Sure enough, Tom had figured out where we had made the error and we were back on track.  I must say, the wind was taken out of my sails a bit.  I couldn’t eat my frozen power bar and for my first time out… it was turning into a long adventure.

When I finally crossed the finishline, I had logged 7.25 miles running in snow shoes with 1,864 elevation gain for my first Snow Shoe race.. (yes, they had a 5k race too but I didn’t feel that was long enough).  I was sooo happy to be finished and am so excited to PR my next race!! ;-) 

I am hooked! Get out there and try something new! www.tristafrancis.com

Enjoy your training =)

For New Years my wife, dog and I made a whirlwind tour of New England.  We drove up from Durham, NC to visit various family and friends and while we were in Providence, RI I made a stop by the Tri Fit Lab.  Todd Kenyon has created a top secret new machine that will revolutionize the fit process and I was happy to be a guinea pig…I mean pioneer of this new method.  This new machine is top secret (hence the blurred out picture below), however, I can say that it enabled Todd to independently change various proportions and fit dimensions of the bike I was riding, while I was riding a hard threshold set.  We played around with various methods to determine the best way to determine the best fit with the best power production.  At first I watched my power while Todd told me what changes he was making and I would try to figure out what felt better.  However, I found it very difficult to be objective and honest with what position felt better or was more powerful.  We then decided to try changing parameters while holding a constant power and without giving me any information.  All I had to say was what felt better, “number 1, or number 2.”  Much like the eye doctor asks you which lens lets you see better without giving you any prior information.  I found this method very helpful and after some tweaks we got me into a great position where I was very comfortable and still able to produce optimal power.  This never would have been possible without this new machine.  It may sound cliche, but it is going to revolutionize the way that a rider if fit.  You can find a little more information about this machine at here and find out more about Todd and his fit services at www.ttbikefit.com.

Thanks, www.alexmmtri.com

It’s kind of odd that I would choose to write a New Year focused blog, particularly if you consider the fact that Eric and I made it to 10:30 last night and weren’t even conscious for the ‘ringing in of the New Year.’ Absolutely shocking - yah right.  But whether you choose to do your goal setting on Jan. 1st or on July 10th….makes no difference, the importance, however, is that you do it. 

This said, goals are of course just words (written or spoken) unless you take action towards them.  Taking action requires motivation, and the more this motivation is internally based - the better.  So, I wanted to write down a few ‘words of wisdom’ that I have picked up spontaneously throughtout 2009 that I know I intend to carry on with me for 2010, and perhaps, may also kick start some internal motivation towards 2010 for anyone reading!

First though, I think it’s important to first explain what motivated me to blog about this subject to begin with. …

I was on my trainer this morning for the first workout of the day and things were going on all as normal when I realized that my towel (which was laid out on the pads of my aero bars) was perfectly aligned to show 6 simple words with only 8 tiny syllables.  On my little sweat soaked towel it said, “What you believe, you will achieve.”  Now, some might think…”So what? It was on your towel, you read the words…ya da ya da ya da…”  But those 6 words written in light blue ink on that raggedly little hand towel were very meaningful for me in that moment.  It then inspired me to spend the rest of my  trainer ride thinking about other things I have heard in 2009 that are important little pebbles to put into my sack towards my own journey going forth into this new year, and decade.  Perhaps you might even choose to take some of these with you on your own journey in 2010 for whatever goals and dreams you have set out for yourself.  Here they are…

“It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, “Always do what you are afraid to do.”  - Ralph Waldo Emerson

“You are what your deep, driving desire is.  As your desire is, so is your will.  As your will is, so is your deed.  As your deed is, so is your destiny.” - Brihardaranyaka Upanishad 4 (whoever that is!!!???)

“Don’t talk yourself out of it, talk yourself INTO it!” - Mel Spooner during a masters swimming workout this fall

“I don’t ask myself what I have to lose, instead I ask what I have to gain.  To follow a dream you cannot waste an ounce of energy on anything that detracts from your goal.”  Phillipe Petit in an interview about his epic and magical high wire walk between the twin towers.

“The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”  - Chinese Proverb

Happy are those who dream DREAMS and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.” - Leon J. Suenes

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”  -Confucious

“Patience, Grasshopper” - Dr. Chris Spooner

“Secrets of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.”  - Earl of Beaconsfield

AND OF COURSE DON’T FORGET….

“WHAT YOU BELIEVE YOU WILL ACHIEVE.”

Happy 2010, everyone!!!!!!!